PLAYBOOK DEVOTIONAL
Athlete, Delight in Your Weaknesses
Ashley Warner
2 Corinthians 12:9,10 (ESV)
But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
What a concept to think of in light of athletics! In volleyball, my weakness is defense, so I would never expect my coach to put me in the back row.
No good coach would put the kicker in the quarterback position, or the center in the point guard position. But that is where our God has bigger plans and displays His power in a different way than a coach would.
When we are put in a place where we are weak, we have the opportunity to see God work. When we are at our weakest, then we can be strong. But that strength is not because of us, it is because of our God.
When I am in a job, a position in a game, or when I have a thorn in my side like Paul, it reminds me of my humanity, that I have to depend on God for my strength. I have to depend on Him to play defense, to get my job done, to push through the pain of the thorn in my side.
I have to depend on God and trust that He has the results in His hands.
Athlete, I would argue that this is one of the most exciting places to be – a place where you know you will have to see God show up. And He will.
Only with God would your weaknesses be a good thing.
Reflection: Where are you weak? Where are you seeing God’s strength amidst your weaknesses?
Challenge: Ask God to show you His presence, to show you how He is strengthening you. Allow Him to be glorified in your weaknesses.
